1. You are your own billboard. Doesn't matter what your style, it speaks volumes about you before you even open your mouth. Is this fair? Not really, but it's a fact. 2. Stay current and fresh. After all, no one turns to his or her dowdiest friend for fashion advice. 3. Being original is really difficult but not impossible. Much of what we see, hear and wear is derivative of an era or trend gone by (i.e., retro '70s anything...and are those shoulder pads I've been seeing lately?). Yet when it comes back in vogue, there needs to be an unexpected twist or else it's just tired. Yawn. 4. Be succinct & telegraphic. 13 years in retail advertising really drove home the idea that you have a nanosecond to grab someone's attention. The hardest part is folding in some clever originality to that recipe. 5. Keep your name in front of the public. Competition is fierce! You must be visible. 6. You can advertise all you want but if you don't have the right merchandise, you'll still suck.

I know. I know. I'm seven days late posting my blog. My apologies to the thousands of followers who have angrily, yet patiently waited for my magical, thought-provoking insight. I sincerely apologize for the sleepless nights and nerve-wracking anxiety I have caused. And speaking of distress, it's that time of year when ad agencies are barraged with ad competitions. There are hundreds. Some are specific to TV, radio, outdoor, Web, small agencies... the list goes on and on. Back when I was young and awards-horny, awards meant everything to me. It was something that reaffirmed that I actually belonged in this business. Don't get me wrong, I still like winning awards, and I savor every page of The One Show winners' book. But that euphoric feeling begins to slowly fade away as the years roll by. I'm not sure why. I think some of it has to do with the subjective judging. I've had work that won in the national New York Festivals but not the local Addys. I've judged lots of awards shows and rarely do all the judges agree on which entries are best. I've seen awards go to work that, quite frankly, I would be embarrassed to be associated with. I recently ran across an awards program for the Omaha Artists and Art Directors Club. The year was 1961. A "Distinctive Merit Award" went to Allen & Reynolds (which later became Smith, Kaplan, Allen & Reynolds). I thought about entering it in some of today's award shows just to mess with people and see what happens. Who's with me?

Pickles, pickle juice, Danish foods, humor, Christmas, New Year

Inspiration comes from all over. In this case it's my boss, Greg Ahrens, and the things he chooses to display in his office. Here's a glimpse inside Greg's world --and mind. It starts before you even open the door Invite poster for The Last Stupor, his final billiard tournament It's in the genes. My very fav thing in Greg's office is the life-like chimp head, mostly b/c it's a gift from his mother. It is motorized w/life-like chimp sounds, too -- but I couldn't get the video to upload. You'll have to take my word for it. Chilean miner's rig: part of winning SKAR-o-ween costume Simpson's Pezes - one among many Simpson's collections Sushi stapler hanging on drum stick inside trophy with candy cane next to oversized Honeyland license plate Battery powered Stooges hit each other w/clubs. Altoid tin collection More cowbell

I love it when packages arrive. This week a box of was delivered that held two Davey Award trophies, shown here by Krystal and Andrea who are the winning art directors. The Davey Awards promote themselves as "honoring the creative excellence of smaller agencies and companies worldwide." I think that's pretty cool -- and I'm proud of the work that went into winning these beauties. This direct mail piece was created as a fundraising piece for the Nebraska Humanities Council. It won a Silver Davey Award. The Salvation Army Annual Report for 2008 was good as  gold in the Daveys. It also received a silver Addy Award. Thanks to everyone involved in bringing these pieces to fruition -- especially the cool clients with whom we worked.

In 1971, when I was 10 years old, I saw the 7-Up billboard pictured below in a part of town called Benson. It blew my little mind. I was obsessed by it. The shapes, the colors, the illustration, the entire concept. Not only did I love it, I had to possess it. So one chilly Saturday morning, I made my dad drive me to the billboard so I could sketch it. It was one of those old boards that was at street level, only a couple of feet off the ground, so I could see every part of it. Dad opened a thermos of coffee and contently read the newspaper while I sat drawing the fabulous 7-Up city. When I asked my father who had created the billboard, he said "an advertising agency." From that moment, I knew exactly what I wanted to do for a living. The other day, about 40 years later, I stumbled across the billboard while surfing the Web. Where's my sketchpad?

I've been making and sending out homemade Christmas cards since 1985. They're a little pricey to print up and mail, so I can't send one to just anybody ... until now. Thanks to the miracle (small "m" on that) of blogs, I can now shower the Internet with my heartfelt holiday greetings. Below is this year's card. Have the merriest of Christmases ... and remember, getting this card on our blog qualifies you as being just anybody.

I made some neat displays for my fellow co-workers and thought I would pass them on in case you know someone who is a big Grinch fan. You can make the display in three easy steps: 1. Buy a Grinch (Kohl's sells them for $5!) and put a Santa hat on top. 2. Wrap a box with a brick design, put some fake snow on top and place Grinch inside. 3. Make a Santa bag and stuff with presents. Add additional snow around the base to finish it off. EASY!

This was my entry into this year's SKAR-o-ween costume contest. It took me three weeks to make by hand. It cost over $100 in materials. I had to go to five different fabric and craft stores. I sustained burns from a hot glue gun on both hands. The headpiece felt like a neck brace. The judging took all of 37 seconds. And I won JACK SQUAT! I show it to you now because I can't bear to pack it away until more than 43 FRICKING PEOPLE SEE IT! Am I upset at losing? You know what they say, "If you can't beat 'em, SEND THEM TO THE MUD PITS TO MAKE BRICKS FOR YOUR TEMPLE!"

Every so often, I run across some vintage TV spots produced by SKAR. Since we've been around for nearly 50 years, the reel is long and filled with Omaha classics. Recently, I saw a spot we produced sometime in the 80's for Runza restaurants. Grease dripping off the burgers and polish sausages. Fried onion rings. French fries made with artery-clogging oil.   Oh, how I miss you. This spot makes my stomach growl and salivary glands cry. Sure, a crazy, creepy Burger King character might grab attention, but it doesn't light a fire under my taste buds and entice me in like a soft bun pressing down on a slab of sizzling beef on a greasy griddle. You be the judge. Watch the video. Warning - if you are a health nut, you may want to shield your eyes.Runza Burger

In March of 2003, my sophomore year of high school, I was taking a class in mass communication. One of our big assignments was to create a radio show complete with scripted programming, music, the whole enchilada. The best part, though, was getting my friends together to help create these stupid, horribly edited commercials that are probably only funny to me. Wayne Stock 2003 Herbal Essences for Men Dell We got an A on the project (obviously). And I credit that assignment for helping plant the seed in my brain that advertising was the career path I wanted to pursue.

While I was out of town this past weekend visiting a friend, he took me to a local restaurant that he claimed had "the best" deep-fried cauliflower I would ever eat. I tried it, and sure enough it was probably the best I had ever eaten. Then I thought to myself, "Self, what are some things you have tried over the years that you would consider to be "the best"? I decided to share with you some recommendations over the next few months that I would call "Bobbo's Best."

I was in the post office the other day (yes, I was waiting in line) and I ran across something cool.  You can buy large prints of certain stamps framed as artwork. I went online to USPS.com and found some fun images. Good for gifts or if you just want something unique.  Check these out.

Over the years, I have interviewed dozens of college graduates looking for a job in advertising. Maybe I'm too picky, but it seems like the pool of ideal candidates has all but dried up. Recently I interviewed a person who didn't even bring a resume or portfolio. They just wanted a job in advertising. So I started thinking - what do I want out of a prospective new hire at SKAR? I want someone who didn't get straight A's in college. I want someone who has struggled and worked three jobs to get through school. I want someone who makes me laugh out loud. I want someone who has some kind of musical background. I want someone who has a passion for advertising and would sell his/her soul to get a crack at working at my agency. Not just any agency - SKAR. And they better be able to tell me why. They also better be able to name at least three of our current clients. And for God's sake, they better not tell me they don't care where they work in the agency. I want someone who will turn down $50, 000 to be in account service so they could take a minimum wage job as a copywriter. I want someone who has joined the local ad club. I want someone who is hungry to do great work and try new things. I want someone who will go to the monster truck show or opera with equal enthusiasm. I want someone who can come up with ideas so bizarre, they border on psychotic. I want someone who has several hobbies. I want someone who can quote David Ogilvy and Leo Burnett. I want someone who will come in to work on the weekend without telling me they came in to work on the weekend. I want someone who plays well with others at the agency. I want someone who has a portfolio filled with stuff they created on their own - outside of school. That's what I want. Is that too much to ask?